This episode of the groundbreaking Tv Series, My Year 12 Life, featured on ABC, ABC iView and ABC ME, follows the first week of Year 12 for a handful of the 14 students taking part in the experiment. It is 36 weeks until the dreaded HSC exams and already the students are feeling the pressures of the year ahead.
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Tom’s Motivation
A big issue centred within the second episode was the pressure of keeping motivated, seen in the diary log of Tom from Western Australia. Tom lives by himself with a group of friends, separated from his mum, so he lacks the constant pressure from parents other students can face from their during the school year. This can be good or bad, and both aspects are seen in this episode.
Tom seems relaxed and in a good mental state of mind in most of his vlogs, taking the time to pursue his photography hobby with a mate, and enjoying some quality time in the bush. However, he lacks the motivation to go to school. He comments that his teachers and principal have pulled him up for attending school late and not attending at all. As Tom states, “if you don’t arrive before recess, it’s not cool to go. You may as well just not go.” Even when he does manage to go to school, Tom (as he stays up until the crack of dawn) finds it hard to concentrate and ends up falling asleep in class. Tom also has the extra pressure of having to pay rent, so work and a steady income is probably more of an incentive than school.
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Shianna’s Confusion
Another key issue in the episode is that of the HSC system itself. Explained, almost eloquently, by Shianna, she comments on why if artistic and creative people wish to strive for a high ATAR, they have to commit to studying a highly ranked subject such as a science subject or Advanced English. Why do people who are not strong at this different way of learning have to be penalised just because science and advanced subjects are not their strong point. She also questions why people who are not good at art and design are not penalised just as harshly.
Relationships
The episode briefly focuses on the issue of new relationships. Shianna is overwhelmed as to which direction she would like her future to go in as she begins to date someone. She fears, because the guy she is seeing is already studying at university, she would have to sacrifice her prospects if she wanted to stay in the relationship. It’s this uncertainty of romantic relationships and at a lesser extent the distraction of attraction that plagues these young adults.
Are you just as addicted to this show as we are? Why not head over to our forum and tell us who’s your favourite vlogger?Make sure to use the hashtag #myyear12life. Who says the things you’re thinking? Tell us who you want to see more of!
